Nino was born in Vitulazio (Caserta) on the 19th of August 1949. He finished elementary school and in 1960 emigrated with his family to Toronto, where he began school again. At only ten years old he began an evening apprentice course in tailoring where he studied the secrets of the trade for eight years. When he was eighteen years old his teacher and employer offered him the possibility to enter into partnership with the atelier "Italmoda" which made men's clothes. After a year he left this concern as he wanted to enlarge his experience, working for various tailors and thus learning different techniques and styles both classical and avanguard.

In 1973 he opened a factory which produced trousers called "Smart Pants" but did not feel satisfied because he was interested in producing clothes on a more individual level. After three years he gave up this work, searching for something he could find more rewarding. This was not easy and he stayed out of this field for several years, waiting for he right opportunity. The World Cup of 1982 proved to be the long awaited occasion when, convinced of an Italian victory, he produced several thousand Italian flags. In this particularly happy moment which brought joy to the hearts of all Italians, Cioppa took up once again his way, opening his own atelier "Moda Nino" at 473 Church Street. He has acquired an exclusive clientele in Toronto for whom he designs with talent and imagination under his name as a designer. he is often written about in the local press which praises his originality in haute couture for both men and women, who move in the most "in" circles in Toronto.